Vertical tackle storage box

ABSTRACT

A vertical tackle box ( 1 ) in which leaders, lures and other fishing tackle may be hung in a vertical position from hooks ( 14 ) or pegs and further secured with straps or elastomeric cords ( 17 ) on opposing sides of the vertical tackle box. Flexible access covers ( 18 ) are preferably attached to the vertical tackle box by hinges ( 19 ) along upper edges to allow each access cover to be opened and folded back over the top of the vertical tackle box, thereby fully displaying the leaders, lures or other fishing tackle stored therein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/536,743 filed on Nov. 14, 2014 which iscurrently pending. The patent application identified above isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety to provide continuityof disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to fishing and tackle boxes, and moreparticularly to a vertical tackle box that provides a system fororganizing, storing, displaying and carrying a plurality of fishingleaders, lures and other fishing tackle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fishing tackle boxes have always been an essential piece of an angler'sequipment. Conventional tackle boxes are similar to tool boxes having amain housing, a hinged lid and trays for holding tackle, lures andfishing leaders. Anglers commonly have a problem with storing leaderlines in conventional tackle boxes and with keeping the contents ofconventional tackle boxes clean and free of rust and corrosion.

Fishing leaders are a commonly used fishing tool. They consist of arelatively short length of wire or other suitable material attached atone end to a hook and at the opposite end to a swivel, which is designedto be tied to or attached to a clip on an end of the fishing line.Accordingly, a person may have numerous hooks and lures readilypre-prepared on leaders for quick and easy attachment to fishing line inorder to save time while fishing. The primary difficulty when using afishing leader involves organizing the leaders so each one can be easilyaccessed. All too often, the fishing leaders become a tangled mess andcannot be detangled. Even when an organizer of some sort is utilized tohold the fishing leaders, it is usually haphazardly placed within thetackle box such that it will bounce around and become tangled with otherhooks and fishing tackle found within the tackle box.

Therefore, a need exists for an improved tackle box that provides a neatand orderly system for organizing and storing a plurality of fishingleaders, lures and other tackle such that they will be easily accessibleand not be susceptible to becoming tangled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a verticaltackle box that provides a neat and orderly system for organizing andstoring a plurality of fishing leaders, lures and other fishing tackleso that they will be easily accessible and not susceptible to becomingtangled.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a verticaltackle box in which the interior is completely visible at all times so auser can easily view and find objects stored therein.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a verticaltackle box that stores fishing leaders, lines, monofilament, lures andother fishing tackle in a vertical open position wherein the fishingleaders, lines, monofilament, lures and other tackle can be easilywashed and sprayed down to remove debris and salt water.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a verticaltackle box that stores fishing leaders, lures and other tackle in avertical open position wherein the fishing leaders, lures and othertackle are capable of rinsed and easily dried to prevent rust andcorrosion.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a verticaltackle box that may be employed in other uses, such as a medicalequipment storage box, tool box and so forth.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providinga vertical tackle box in which leaders, lures and other fishing tacklemay be hung in a vertical position from hooks or pegs and furthersecured with straps or elastomeric cords on opposing sides of the tacklebox. Flexible access covers are preferably attached to the verticaltackle box by hinges along upper edges to allow each access cover to beopened and folded back over the top of the vertical tackle box, therebyfully displaying the leaders, lures or other fishing tackle storedtherein. The covers are preferably constructed from a flexible meshmaterial to allow the interior of the vertical tackle box to be rinsedand dried and to allow users to see inside the vertical tackle box evenwhen the covers are closed.

The vertical tackle box also may have drawers or storage containers thatinsert into side openings of the vertical tackle box located between theopposing sides of the tackle box. Attachment points may also be locatedon one or more sides of the tackle box to attach and store tools, knivesand so forth.

The vertical tackle box is preferably constructed out of water proofand/or water resistant materials to allow the vertical tackle box to bea completely washable unit. This allows a user to spray down the insideof the tackle box with the leaders, lures or other fishing tackle storedtherein and then leave it to dry without removing any of the leaders,lures or other fishing tackle stored therein as would be necessary withconventional tackle boxes. All components of the vertical tackle box arepreferably constructed from rust proof and/or rust resistant materials.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled inthe art upon a reading of the following detailed description inconjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and describedillustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to theattached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vertical tackle box of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded rear view of a vertical tackle box of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of a vertical tackle box of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of a vertical tackle box of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a vertical tackle box of the present inventionin an open position;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a vertical tackle box of the present inventionin an open position;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a horizontal base of the vertical tackle boxof the present invention in a closed position;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a horizontal base of the vertical tackle boxof the present invention in an open position;

FIG. 9 is a side cross sectional view along lines 9-9 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a perspective side view of a single hook used for attachingand organizing leaders and fishing lures on the front storage paneland/or rear storage panel of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective side view of a strip of hooks used forattaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel and/or rearstorage panel of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective side view of a slotted spacer used forattaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel and/or rearstorage panel of the present invention, and

FIG. 13 is a perspective side view of a slotted spacer used forattaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel and/or rearstorage panel of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminologyused in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is asfollows:

1. vertical tackle box, generally

2. horizontal base

3. vertical side wall

4. horizontal top panel

5. housing

6. front storage panel

7. rear storage panel

8. outer edge vertical side wall

9. outer edge of horizontal top panel

10. internal storage area

11. aperture

12. attachment point

13. storage means

14. hook

15. strip of hooks

16. slotted spacer

17. elastomeric cord

18. access cover

19. hinge

20. cross piece

21. pull

22. storage container

23. storage area

24. knife

25. access door

26. gasket

27. lower edge of storage panel

28. hook portion

29. peg

30. elongated member

31. front surface of elongated member

32. vertical slot

33. groove

34. strip of loops

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 6, the vertical tackle box 1 of thepresent invention comprises a horizontal base 2 that supports verticalside walls 3 and a horizontal top panel 4 that creates a substantiallyrectangular-shaped housing 5. A front storage panel 6 and a rear storagepanel 7 are preferably recessed within the vertical side walls 3 andhorizontal top panel 4 a predetermined distance from outer edges 8 ofthe vertical side walls 3 and outer edges 9 of the horizontal top panel4. In addition, the front storage panel 6 and a rear storage panel 7preferably are spaced apart, thereby creating an internal storage area10 within the housing 5 (as illustrated in FIG. 9). The front storagepanel 6 and a rear storage panel 7 are preferably peg board and/or havea plurality of apertures 11 or attachment points 12 to attach variousstorage means 13 used for securing leaders, lures or other fishingtackle to the front storage panel 6 and a rear storage panel 7. Storagemeans 13 may include hooks 14, strips of hooks 15, slotted spacers 16,elastomeric cords 17 or bands and so forth. This provides flexibilityand a multitude of storage configurations to meet an individual user'sspecific needs.

Front and rear access covers 18 are preferably hingedly attached to thevertical tackle box 1 by one or more hinges 19 located along the outeredges 9 of the horizontal top panel 4 to allow the front storage panel 6or rear storage panel 7 of the vertical tackle box 1 to be opened. Theaccess covers 18 are preferably constructed from a flexible materialthat can be lifted upward and folded backward over the horizontal toppanel 4. The flexible material may be screen or other mesh-like materialthat allows a user to view the contents stored in the vertical tacklebox 1 and allows for air flow into the vertical tackle box 1. The accesscovers 18 may be reinforced by framing or cross pieces 20 (preferablylocated along a bottom edge of each access cover) and have handles orpulls 21 used for opening the access covers 18. The access covers 18 maybe held in a closed position via a securing means, such as a latch,pressure fit and so forth.

The vertical tackle box 1 may also comprise drawers or storagecontainers 22 that insert into the internal storage area 10 within thehousing 5 through side openings 23 located on one or both of thevertical side walls 3 (as illustrated in FIG. 9). In addition,attachment points 12 may also be located on one or both of the verticalside walls 3 of the vertical tackle box 1 to attach and store tools,knives 24 and so forth. Said storage containers 22 may be used forstoring smaller articles, such as hooks and weights or may be used asfirst aid kits and so forth.

With reference to FIGS. 7-9, a bottom view of a horizontal base 2 of thevertical tackle box 1 of the present invention in a closed position andan open position, respectively, and a side cross sectional view alonglines 9-9 of FIG. 4. are illustrated. The horizontal base 2 comprises anaccess door 25 for accessing the internal storage area 10 locatedbetween the front storage panel 6 and the rear storage panel 7. A gasket26 is located between the front storage panel 6 and the rear storagepanel 7 a predetermined distance from lower edges 27 of the frontstorage panel 6 and the rear storage panel 7. The gasket 26 holds looseor untied ends of leader lines within the internal storage area 10 toprevent tangling. To store a leader line in the vertical tackle box 1, aswivel located on one end of the leader line is placed on a hook 14 orother storage means 13 located on the front storage panel 6 or the rearstorage panel 7. Then, the leader line is further secured using one ormore slotted spacers 16 and elastomeric cords 17 or bands located on thefront storage panel 6 or the rear storage panel 7. Finally, the loose oruntied end of the leader line is wrapped around the lower edge 27 of thefront storage panel 6 or the rear storage panel 7 and placed through thegasket 26. The gasket 26 holds the leader line in place with a selfsealing pressure fit and/or friction fit.

With reference to FIG. 10, a perspective side view of a single hook 14used for attaching and organizing leaders and fishing lures on the frontstorage panel 6 and/or rear storage panel 7 of the present invention isillustrated. The hook 14 comprises a curved and/or angled hook portion28 and a peg 29 for insertion into one of the apertures 11 located onthe front storage panel 6 and/or rear storage panel 7. The hook 14 or aplurality of hooks 14 may be temporarily attachable to the front storagepanel 6 and/or rear storage panel 7 and/or permanently attached to thefront storage panel 6 and/or rear storage panel 7.

With reference to FIG. 11, a perspective side view of a strip of hooks15 used for attaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel6 and/or rear storage panel 7 of the present invention is illustrated.The strip of hooks 14 comprises an elongated member 30 that may betemporarily attachable to the front storage panel 6 and/or rear storagepanel 7 via pegs 29 located on a rear surface and/or permanentlyattached to the front storage panel 6 and/or rear storage panel 7. Aplurality of hooks 14 are spaced across a front surface 31 of theelongated member 30.

With reference to FIG. 12, a perspective side view of a strip of loops34 used for attaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel6 and/or rear storage panel 7 of the present invention is illustrated.The strip of hooks 34 comprises an elongated member 30 that may betemporarily attachable to the front storage panel 6 and/or rear storagepanel 7 via pegs 29 located on a rear surface and/or permanentlyattached to the front storage panel 6 and/or rear storage panel 7. Aplurality of loops 35 are spaced across a front surface 31 of theelongated member 30.

With reference to FIG. 13, a perspective side view of a slotted spacer16 used for attaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel6 and/or rear storage panel 7 of the present invention is illustrated.The slotted spacer 16 comprises an elongated member 30 that may betemporarily attachable to the front storage panel 6 and/or rear storagepanel 7 via pegs 29 located on a rear surface and/or permanentlyattached to the front storage panel 6 and/or rear storage panel 7. Aplurality of vertical slots 32 are spaced apart across a front surface31 of the elongated member 30. A groove 33 is located length wise fromend to end on the front surface 31 of the elongated member 30intersecting each of the vertical slots 32. The groove 33 accommodatesan elastomeric cord 17, such as a bungee cord or flat elastomeric band,which has each end secured to the vertical tackle box 1. The elastomericcords 17 may be removeably attached to the vertical tackle box to allowthe storage configuration to be reconfigured. The elastomeric cord 17 isthen stretched across the front surface 31 of the elongated member 30and held in position by the groove 33 (as illustrated in FIG. 6). Thefront surface 31 of the elongated member 30 is preferably curvedoutward, thereby ensuring the elastomeric cord 17 maintains contactacross the entire front surface 31 of the elongated member 30. Theconstant contact ensures that each leader placed in each vertical slot32 of the slotted spacer 16 is held firmly in place with equal pressure.A sliding pull 34 may be located on the elastomeric cord 17 (asillustrated in FIG. 5) to make it easier to pull the elastomeric cord 17out of the groove 33 when placing leaders into the slotted spacer 16 orremoving leaders from the slotted spacer 16.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific formor arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparentto those skilled in the art that various changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to beconsidered limited to what is shown and described in the specificationand drawings.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:
 1. A vertical tackle boxcomprising: a horizontal base that supports vertical side walls and ahorizontal top panel that all create a substantially rectangular-shapedhousing; an access cover hingedly attached to the vertical tackle boxalong an outer edge of the horizontal top panel; at least one storagepanel having at least one storage means located thereon; said at leastone storage panel being recessed within the vertical side walls andhorizontal top panel a predetermined distance from outer edges of thevertical side walls and an outer edge of the horizontal top panel sothat said at least one storage panel rests behind the access cover whenthe access cover is in a closed position; said access cover isconstructed from a mesh material that allows air flow to the at leastone storage panel when the access cover is in a closed position; and across piece is located along a bottom edge of the access panel.
 2. Avertical tackle box comprising: a horizontal base that supports verticalside walls and a horizontal top panel that all create a substantiallyrectangular-shaped housing; an access cover hingedly attached to thevertical tackle box along an outer edge of the horizontal top panel; atleast one storage panel having at least one storage means locatedthereon; said at least one storage panel being recessed within thevertical side walls and horizontal top panel a predetermined distancefrom outer edges of the vertical side walls and an outer edge of thehorizontal top panel so that said at least one storage panel restsbehind the access cover when the access cover is in a closed position;said access cover is constructed from a flexible material; and a crosspiece is located along a bottom edge of the access panel.
 3. A verticaltackle box comprising: a horizontal base that supports vertical sidewalls and a horizontal top panel that all create a substantiallyrectangular-shaped housing; an access cover hingedly attached to thevertical tackle box along an outer edge of the horizontal top panel; atleast one storage panel having at least one storage means locatedthereon; said at least one storage panel being recessed within thevertical side walls and horizontal top panel a predetermined distancefrom outer edges of the vertical side walls and an outer edge of thehorizontal top panel so that said at least one storage panel restsbehind the access cover when the access cover is in a closed position;said access cover is constructed from a mesh material that allows airflow to the at least one storage panel when the access cover is in aclosed position; said access cover is constructed from a flexiblematerial; and a cross piece is located along a bottom edge of the accesspanel.